For pet parents, the hardest time of the year is when their fur balls get allergies. It comes out of nowhere, making life difficult and annoying for sweet, innocent pups. It can stem from food, seasonal changes, and even severe anxiety and stress. To tackle this, dog owners usually rely on chemical-ridden synthetic allergy medicines.
But sometimes, these medicines make things even worse, when certain ingredients react badly with a dog’s immune system. As dogs age, treating their allergies becomes more difficult due to slowing metabolism, immune function, and overall body strength.
However, recently there’s been a shift in dog owners’ attitudes toward alternative medications. Many are now opting for natural remedies like CBD for dogs, mushrooms, and specific therapies to improve and keep their canine friends healthy and happy.
Still, many wonder if these options are safe and effective, or if it’s just marketing gimmicks by brands. This article will clear up all such confusion, and give some of the best remedies to help you manage your dog’s allergies.
What are common dog allergies?
If you notice a change in your dog’s behavior like – excessive scratching on a particular spot, licking toes too frequently, rubbing their face on furniture, or up against coarse surfaces, chances are they have some sort of allergy.
Nasal congestion, swollen & red eyes, odd color spots and rashes on skin, excessive coughing, and shortness of breath are some of the most common symptoms in dogs suffering from some sort of allergy.
What are the main triggers for the above-mentioned allergies?
There can be multiple triggers for them, like environment, food, or flea bite. For example, pollen, dust mites, and mold can make the skin very itchy. Many dogs scratch excessively during certain seasons, like spring and fall when pollen content is high in the air.
It’s best to minimize outdoor activity for your dogs at such times. Also, putting an air purifier in the room helps. Coming to allergies caused by food, you must buy only dog-specific dry and wet food from reputed brands. Some dogs are allergic to certain beef, chicken, dairy, and wheat.
So it’s best you get their allergy profile done on time, and only buy recommended brands with good ingredient safety profiles for your canine. It’s not usually the grocery store dog food that’s the problem, but certain dogs are just more likely to be allergic to the protein sources themselves.
Then there are flea bites and even a single one can cause some dogs to break out in an intensely itchy reaction that can last for weeks. It’s called flea allergy dermatitis, and it’s more common than you might think.
So do check their fur and skin thoroughly after coming back home from outdoor playing sessions. Owners who take out their dogs for walks and play sessions with other dogs in parks and trails must pay extra caution.
CBD For Dog Allergies
All popular cannabinoid brands now offer some kind of CBD oils, chews, treats, and palm balms for dogs. Though the research is a bit limited, there are many anecdotal reports from dog owners who found CBD products effective in managing allergy symptoms in their pets.
Experts believe that it’s because of CBD’s strong anti-inflammatory and nerve-calming effects.
It does so by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating the body’s immune response and inflammation. When dogs have allergies, their immune system goes into overdrive, and that leads to inflammation, itching, and discomfort. CBD helps with all these things without causing any major side effects.
Sometimes allergies trigger in dogs due to stress and anxiety, CBD can prevent this from happening if given regularly. Other than allergies, CBD can improve your dog’s mood by increasing happy hormone flow and also helps them sleep and recover faster. Just make sure to get in touch with a vet first if your dog is already taking some medication for certain diseases.
Mushrooms for Dog Allergies
Just like CBD, for a very long time, people were quite aversive of mushrooms. But things are changing now, and mushrooms are increasingly getting popular for their strong antiviral, antibacterial, and immune system-supporting properties.
These days you can easily and legally buy mushroom-infused treats for your dogs. Different mushrooms have different use cases, so try them all in small quantities and stick with one that works best for your dog’s allergies.
For example, reishi mushrooms have strong anti-inflammatory and immunity-improving effects. A small dose every day can calm down the overactive immune system, and bring down allergy symptoms in dogs.
Similarly, Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Agarikon mushrooms can be good for dog allergies as well. They mainly work by activating major immune system cells in the body and allowing it to fight better with allergy-causing elements.
But be cautious, buy only pet-specific mushrooms from reputed brands. Never give your dogs wild mushrooms, as they can be poisonous, and may degrade your dog’s health severely.
Are there any Side Effects of Mushrooms and CBD for dogs?
As long as you are buying these products from reputed and well-tested sources, your dog will be just fine. Make sure to follow the recommended dosage guideline though, which is printed on the packet itself.
Keep the packets away from your dog’s reach, so that they don’t accidentally end up eating too much behind your back. Overdosing can cause upset stomach, fatigue, and dehydration, and it’s best to get in touch with a vet right away if such situations happen. Fitting a cam at home, and storing these products on high shelves can be a good option to avoid mishaps.
The Final Note
To sum it up, CBD and mushroom-infused products like chews and treats can be a great way to provide your dog relief from allergy symptoms. These natural remedies can boost your dog’s immunity, and allow them to feel calm and relaxed when allergy symptoms trigger due to seasonal changes, food, and bug bites.
Just be cautious about dosage, and start with a very low amount of 15-20mg, so that your dog’s body can get used to the new compound. Lastly, buy such products only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals, and consult with a vet first to avoid reaction to any ongoing medications.
